Social Contract: Social Contract

This course examines the history and significance of social contract doctrine for modern social and political thought. In particular, we will study the works of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and J.J. Rousseau. We will also study the utilitarian critique of social contract doctrine and the utilitarian views of David Hume, Adam Smith, J.S. Mill, and Karl Marx's criticism of liberal-democratic justice. This course thus serves as an introduction to many of the major figures in modern political philosophy.